James Henry Richardson

Our father passed away on Dec. 30, 2021 from an unexpected illness. Jim was surrounded by

family during his passing.

Jim was born to Henry and Bethel Richardson on Jan 15, 1948 in Spokane, WA.

Growing up in the Spokane Valley, Jim attended East Valley High School where he participated

in football, baseball and track and was a star hurdler. Jim graduated in 1966 from East Valley and enlisted in the Air Force where he served in Vietnam from 1967-1969 at BienHoa and Da Nang base working in the supply division. Jim returned to Spokane in 1969 and joined the Air National Guard working in liquid fuels as a TSGT. Jim met Sue in 1971 and married in 1972 before welcoming Dustin and then Amy in 1974 and raised their kids in the Newman Lake area. He worked at Clark Equipment working on Bobcat equipment then at Comet Trailers. Jim started working for the East Valley School District in 1984 as the maintenance/custodian and enjoyed this job to the fullest. Being able to see his kids each day when he started working at EVHS in 1988 was a huge perk for him. He also was a support for many students who looked to him for advice and encouragement. In 1997, he retired from EVSD and the Air National Guard, and moved to Natchez, MS to be with Sue, who moved due to career advancement. Jim worked for the Natchez National Park in the maintenance dept. and made many lifelong friends here. In

1998, they moved to the St. John, USVI where he worked in the maintenance dept. while

enjoying the scenery of the beautiful beaches. In 2000, they moved to Rangely,,CO and worked

at Dinosaur National Park where he worked in maintenance. They loved living in this area with

the small town feel and easy living, however they missed their family and in 2002, moved to

Lewiston, Idaho where they made this their forever home. Jim started working at the Nez Perce

National Park in the maintenance dept. until retiring in 2006. Jim had a love for Harley Davidson

and spent time at Hells Canyon Harley purchasing many rides over these last years. He also

loved classic cars, mostly MOPAR and enjoyed restoring cars with his kids. Jim had a

personality many were drawn to and he had the ability to calm others with his wit, humor and

genuine caring for others. Jim made many friends wherever he went and the friends he made

were life long. Jim loved college football and cheering on the Washington State Cougars and

watching his favorite college basketball Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Jim is survived by his children Dustin (Kyra) Richardson and Amy (Terry) Drake, 5 grandchildren, Nakoa, Owen, Makaio, Olivia and Keanu. Sisters Judy Zumwalt and Geri Novelli and many nieces and nephews and extended family. Thank you to the staff at Tristate Hospital especially Joe, a nurse in ICU, who friended our dad during his last days with us.

A private burial will be held March 19, 2022.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HazenJaegerValley.com for the Richardson family.